Seizing on the furore, the Conservatives suggested Abbott was no longer trusted to make media appearances.

“Jeremy Corbyn wants to make Diane Abbott Home Secretary in just two days but is hiding her away from voters,” Tory minister Priti Patel said.

“The woman who would be in charge of our police and the intelligence services cannot even be trusted by Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell to go on the airwaves to explain their shocking record on national security.

“Labour might be hiding her today but make no mistake – she will be in charge of our security and borders on Friday unless people vote for Theresa May and her Conservative team.”

Theresa May ‘hypocrisy’

But the Tories’ criticism came after Prime Minister Theresa May pulled out of a Woman’s Hour appearance last month.

It was a fact not lost on Labour supporters keen to point out the apparent hypocrisy.

Tories criticising Diane Abbott for doing what Theresa May did: pulling out of Woman's Hour. Isn't that called hypocrisy?